Kitia
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 2, 2006
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Chinese made phones might hinder TCRA move to burst crime`
By Mgeta Mganga
28th May 2009
A Chinese Mobile Phone
Stakeholders in telecommunications industry have welcomed the decision to register all mobile phones saying the move would help reduce the rampant theft of mobile hand sets.
However, they say that the influx of Chinese made mobile phones in the local market might render the implementation of the exercise a bit difficult as the items do not have IMEI numbers.
It is our hope that when registration of simcards and phones start, it would reduce or alleviate the crime since the stolen phones would be blocked, Salum Mkusa who owns Twimile Mobile Shop in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam said.
However, he criticised the current influx of Chinese made handsets, saying the items did not always carry the IMEI number.
He said the items would hamper efforts by the state to crack down on crime in the mobile phone technology.
Lack of such the number will undermine the governments decision to track down mobile phone thieves since it would be very difficult to identify the stolen phones, he said.
It is estimated more than 2,000 mobile phone hands set are stolen every year in Tanzania and sold to other users.
Mkusa said crime acts associated with mobile phones were on the increase in the country with the spread of the technology.
He said people stole mobile phones because there was a ready market in existence, adding that once the registration started it would reduce the unlawful activities.
He said at least three of the customers purchasing mobile phone handsets from his shop were those who lost their previous units.
Another mobile shop owner, who preferred anonymity, urged the government to make sure that mobile phone technology is not disturbed or used to provide a loop for more crimes.
As you know this is a technology, some people could temper with it, hence make the system fail to detect crime, he said. It is our hope that once reported, responsive action should be taken immediately to block new possessors from using the mobile phone, he said.
Speaking during the ICT Week in Dar es Salaam last week, Connie Francis, ICT officer with Tanzania Communication and Regulatory Authority (TCRA), was quoted as saying that the regulatory body was busy working on the final details to ensure simacard registration became effective in July, this year.
She said there was public outcry against theft and misuse of mobile handsets, adding that implementation of the Equipment Identification Register (EIR) would be part of the solution to the problem.
She said the issue of Central Equipment Identification Register (CEIR) remained one of the potential agenda items in the meetings of East African Regulators, Postal and Telecommunication Operators (EARPTO).
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
By Mgeta Mganga
28th May 2009
A Chinese Mobile Phone
Stakeholders in telecommunications industry have welcomed the decision to register all mobile phones saying the move would help reduce the rampant theft of mobile hand sets.
However, they say that the influx of Chinese made mobile phones in the local market might render the implementation of the exercise a bit difficult as the items do not have IMEI numbers.
It is our hope that when registration of simcards and phones start, it would reduce or alleviate the crime since the stolen phones would be blocked, Salum Mkusa who owns Twimile Mobile Shop in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam said.
However, he criticised the current influx of Chinese made handsets, saying the items did not always carry the IMEI number.
He said the items would hamper efforts by the state to crack down on crime in the mobile phone technology.
Lack of such the number will undermine the governments decision to track down mobile phone thieves since it would be very difficult to identify the stolen phones, he said.
It is estimated more than 2,000 mobile phone hands set are stolen every year in Tanzania and sold to other users.
Mkusa said crime acts associated with mobile phones were on the increase in the country with the spread of the technology.
He said people stole mobile phones because there was a ready market in existence, adding that once the registration started it would reduce the unlawful activities.
He said at least three of the customers purchasing mobile phone handsets from his shop were those who lost their previous units.
Another mobile shop owner, who preferred anonymity, urged the government to make sure that mobile phone technology is not disturbed or used to provide a loop for more crimes.
As you know this is a technology, some people could temper with it, hence make the system fail to detect crime, he said. It is our hope that once reported, responsive action should be taken immediately to block new possessors from using the mobile phone, he said.
Speaking during the ICT Week in Dar es Salaam last week, Connie Francis, ICT officer with Tanzania Communication and Regulatory Authority (TCRA), was quoted as saying that the regulatory body was busy working on the final details to ensure simacard registration became effective in July, this year.
She said there was public outcry against theft and misuse of mobile handsets, adding that implementation of the Equipment Identification Register (EIR) would be part of the solution to the problem.
She said the issue of Central Equipment Identification Register (CEIR) remained one of the potential agenda items in the meetings of East African Regulators, Postal and Telecommunication Operators (EARPTO).
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
